Follow @BescotBanter across social media where we'll bring you all the matchday build-up, in-game updates, and post-match reaction as the Saddlers take on Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Trophy.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Walsall will be back in cup action in midweek as they welcome Shrewsbury Town to the Poundland Bescot Stadium for their final EFL Trophy - Southern Group A game.
After already securing their place in the Second Round with a bonus point win over Birmingham City and a narrow 1-0 triumph over Fulham U21s, the Saddlers are in great shape ahead of kick-off.
Going six all-competition games without defeat, including Saturday's 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra, Mat Sadler's side will be full of confidence as they look to secure victory over yet another League One team.
Opponents Shrewsbury Town have lost both of their previous two EFL Trophy outings and as such can't make it into the Second Round stage of the competition.
With manager Paul Hurst receiving his marching orders earlier this month, their league form is no better than the Trophy as they currently sit at the foot of League One after winning just two of their fifteen games.
They'll arrive at Tuesday's match on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Burton Albion, a match that saw the Brewers pick up just their first win of the league campaign.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Priestley Farquharson (thigh), Harry Williams (concussion), Dylan Thomas (dislocated shoulder), and Josh Gordon (hamstring) remain on the sidelines as they continue to work their way back to fitness.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been ninety-eight previous competitive meetings between Walsall and Shrewsbury Town, and it's the Saddlers that enjoy an overall statistical lead having won on forty-three occasions compared to the Shrews' twenty-six.
There have been twenty-nine draws over the history of the fixture, a history that began at Gay Meadow on Saturday, 17th November 1945 as the two sides met in an FA Cup, First Round clash that the Shrews won by five goals to nil.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting was also an EFL Trophy group game. Taking place at the Croud Meadow on Tuesday, 14 November 2023, the Shrews secured the win by three-goals-to-two.
After already exiting the competition, both the Saddlers and Shrews were looking to build fitness for some of their fringe players whilst also avoiding injuries to those first-teamers who were also named in the matchday squad.
The first goal of the game went the way of the Saddlers as Danny Johnson netted his fourth goal of the season after taking advantage of a Shrewsbury defensive error to pop the ball over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
The home side got themselves back on level terms later in the first-half as Daniel Udoh smashed the ball into the back of the net, his powerful effort giving Jackson Smith little chance to save.
Shrewsbury were soon back among the goals as former Walsall defender Malvind Benning struck the ball home with a well-placed free-kick.
The home side added to their lead early into the second-half as Ryan Bowman placed a header neatly past Smith and into the back of the net. The Saddlers struggling to cope with the home side's movement in the final third.
Walsall got themselves to within a goal of their hosts around midway through the second-half as Isaac Hutchinson slammed the ball home following Tom Knowles' low, driven cross.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Zac Kennard-Kettle, son of the much-maligned official Trevor Kettle, will take charge of the match. Samuel Fudge and Jack Clench have been named assistant referees, while Joe Simpson has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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13
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
48
| 3
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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3
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